A 61-year-old Maui surfer’s leg was severed by a shark bite this morning at Waiehu Beach Park, Maui County police and fire officials said.

The man was surfing at “Sandpiles” around 7 a.m. and police, firefighters and medics were dispatched at 7:05 a.m., officials said.

Police were first on scene and applied two tourniquets to the man’s leg to control the bleeding.

First responders said the man’s leg was severed just below the knee.

Maui Fire and Public Safety Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea said the victim was alert while being treated onshore. He was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.

His current condition is unknown.

Hawaii Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers also responded to the scene.

The Waiehu Beach Park’s gate was closed and all beachgoers are advised to stay out of the water from Paukukalo to Waihee until further notice. The beach is not usually monitored by county lifeguards.

Giesea said the department’s shark protocol is to warn the public to stay out of the water for a distance of one mile in each direction of the location of the incident.

The warning is in effect until at least noon Saturday, but could be extended if further shark activity is seen in the area.

Two Ocean Safety officers patrolled nearby waters on rescue watercraft. A Maui Fire Department battalion chief, an engine company and a drone operator were also on scene. The drone operator is using an MFD drone to monitor offshore waters for any shark activity.

DOCARE officers posted shark warning signs, assisted in cordoning off the area and working with fire personnel to provide ongoing monitoring, DLNRofficials said.